We left IL and drove and drove and drove until we reached Boomland in Charleston, MO.  Although we have planned many times to stop in MO, we never have in the 5 years we have been RVing.  So, last night we were able to add a new state sticker on the map.   It was a long time driving and Ernie was not at all happy.  Honestly none of us were.  We stopped a few times, but  did want to be in our space before dark so we limited stops and rest time. 

We stayed overnight at Boomland for a few reasons, it is literally on an exit on I-57, so no wasted time there and it was $20 for the night with full hook ups.  Since this was the first time we went out after the winter, we needed to flush our tanks and run water through everything to rid the antifreeze you put in to keep everything from freezing.  While Jerry was up to that, I made us some air fryer chicken.  There was one other RV in the park so it was very quiet.   We were so tired, we slept soundly even though you could hear the I-57 traffic. 

You know I don’t like when someone makes a claim that they are the largest or biggest whatever in the world, but Boomland can safely say they are the largest camp store in the world.  Take a look at the pictures.  Not only did they have groceries, a restaurant, gas station, home décor, useless junk, they also have more fireworks than anyone could ever need.  There were constant announcements about no smoking or open flames anywhere on the property.  I am happy to report there were no explosions while we were there.

This morning with a lot of travel behind us, we made our way through 4 states and made a bunch of stops.  From MO we traveled through Arkansas, then Tennessee and finally to Mississippi.   

In AR we stopped to mail a package we ran out of time to take care of before we left.  Then we saw the Traveling Grounds Mobile Coffee Shop.  It looked so cute we had to stop.  I had a Honey Carmel Maple Coffee.  It had all those flavors and was amazing.  Jerry ordered a Cappuccino and then asked for a Cinnamon Roll.  I mentioned I thought it was coffee and not pastry and the server agreed.  Jerry always has pastry on the mind!  While we were waiting the server told us that 10% of the sales of all coffee is donated to a different charity each month.  This month it was for a woman who is operating a school for disabled children who needs equipment in Laos.  We each received a bible verse on our cup as well.  Below is mine.

Then we made another stop at T-Mobile and some internet issues and then on to lunch at the Blue & White.  The Blue and White was originally established in 1924 on Route 61 along the railroad in downtown Tunica, Mississippi.  In 1937, the Pure Oil Company moved The Blue and White Cafe and Service Station to its present location on what is now Highway 61 shortly after the construction of the new Route 61. The Blue and White was owned and operated for many years by the Pure Oil Company.  During the early years, the Blue and White included a tobacco and newsstand, a Greyhound bus stop, a full-service restaurant and service station.  I saw it on line while home and wanted to go there.  It did not disappoint.  We had a very late lunch which also served as dinner!

From there our first stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail, Gateway to the Blues Museum.  We really enjoyed looking at all the displays and reading all the information.  By this time, it was 4 pm and we headed to the RV park at a casino.  There is thunder rumbling in the air and predictions for a 30-degree temperature drop.  That means 50’s tomorrow but I am good with that.  My fingers are pretty swollen from the humidity and it is only February.  Not sure I could live in MS year-round. 

Now I will build our itinerary for tomorrow and check back to see where we go.